Oil Change

[cgwinner]

I've been lazy and haven't changed my oil since I bought my Hawk. Anyone have a step by step guide for a newby?

thanks,
Chris

[brewsy]

Easy Peasy Chris.
First off you should probably change the filter too so get yourself one first.
I usually change the oil and filter at the same time, some folks change the filter every other oil change.

Get the plastic cover off that hides the front sprocket, gets you access to the oil filter.
Locate the drain plug on the sump and make sure that you have a spanner/socket that fits exactly. The last thing you want to do is round it off!
Its also probably worth getting a new copper crush washer, that should help stop any little leaks.

Start the bike and go for a ride to get the oil nice and hot.
Park up and put your catch tank under the plug and filter.
Some people also undo the oil filler plug so that the oil will drain quicker.
Then undo the drain plug, if you do it right tou can 'catch' the nut in your socket (or fingers) so that it doesnt then fall into the catch tank.
Youll then see the lifeblood of your bike pouring out, probably black and smelly!
Wait til pretty much all the oil is gone and then start on the filter.
If you are lucky you may be able to spin it off by hand (anticlockwise btw) but it will probably be stuck fast.
Two options here...
1) Use an oil filter strap. Im sure you have one of those

or

2) Get a nice long flat blade screwdriver and a hammer! Place the screwdriver near the end of the cannister (the end away from the engine block) and gently bash it through the canister. The idea is to then use the screwdriver to turn the filter to 'break' the seal. Then simply remove the filter and let the whole shebang sit for a little while to drain.

To refill put your new crush washer onto the filler plug and screw it back in to the torque specified in the manual (25ft lbs).
Get the new filter, dip your finger in the new oil and lubricate the o ring on the filter. Spin it onto the fitting and secure. I usually do it as hard as I can with one hand (Im sure somebody will say this is wrong!! )
Then fill up the oil.
Manual says 2.3 litres after an oil change.
To check oil level, let engine idle for a while.
Stop engine and pull dipstick, wipe down and then reinsert without screwing in. Adjust as neccesary.

Job done

[jaysun0ne]

service manual isnt really step by step but you can learn alot about the bike thumbing throu that book pictures are always nice

also dont be surprized if they give you a kawi oil filter at the shop it fits.

[cgwinner]

frequency

ok, so i finally got the oil change done. how frequently do you guys change the oil? go by miles or months?

thanks.

[Doc]

After every couple race weekends.

or 3000 miles.

[MrDude_1]

Re: frequency

ok, so i finally got the oil change done. how frequently do you guys change the oil? go by miles or months?

thanks.

3000 miles or after you store it for awhile...

[jaysun0ne]

dont go any longer than once a season thats pushing it

[DefTrap]

I've never used a new plug crush washer. Ever.

[brewsy]

Neither did I til I got this bike!
Its been so neglected over the near 20 years its been around I'm lavishing all sorts of attention and CASH at the damn thing. 50cents for a washer seemed like a bargain!!

[LeftRightLeftThrottle]

when I did my first oil change there wasn't a crush washer there! There was some copper plate and a drill though![/i]

[LeftRightLeftThrottle]

when I did my first oil change there wasn't a crush washer there! There was some copper plate and a drill though![/i]